A suction anchor and its positioning mechanism

Abstract

The present invention discloses a suction anchor and its positioning mechanism, comprising a cylinder, a counterweight, a limit plate, a first inner tube, a second inner tube, a rotating plate, an elastic member, a clamping member, a connecting hose, and a pull rope; the second inner tube that moves downward causes the rotating plate to automatically clamp the limit plate, thereby driving the counterweight to move upward, and when the counterweight moves to a higher height, the rotating plate contacts the T-bar, and the bottom of the rotating plate releases the clamping of the limit plate, thereby causing the counterweight to move downward, thereby hitting the positioning plate under the action of the counterweight, accelerating the downward sinking process of the entire cylinder and accelerating the penetration efficiency; at the same time, the air pump inflates through the connecting hose, which helps the counterweight to quickly descend and impact the positioning plate, thereby further enhancing the penetration efficiency; the counterweight strikes the positioning plate under the downward movement of gravity and air pressure, thereby causing the cylinder to quickly descend on the one hand, and on the other hand, causing the counterweight to strike the insertion rod, causing the insertion rod to penetrate deep into the seabed, thereby increasing the positioning stability effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of suction anchor structures, in particular to a suction anchor and a positioning mechanism thereof. Background Art

[0002] A suction anchor is a basic structure that secures itself by negative pressure, such as an oil platform in the deep sea or the base of a wind turbine. The working principle of a suction anchor is to bury the anchor body partially in the soil, and then pump out the water or air inside to form a negative pressure, so that the surrounding soil or seabed sediments are sucked in, thereby providing anchoring force.

[0003] When operating a conventional suction anchor, the suction anchor is first hoisted by an engineering vessel and lowered into the water. After the suction anchor reaches the seabed, it automatically penetrates under the action of gravity. After the self-penetration is completed, the unmanned remote-controlled submersible closes the exhaust valve and connects the suction pump and the suction anchor. The suction pump is started to drain the suction anchor, and a pressure difference is generated in the suction anchor, which presses the suction anchor into the designed depth of the seabed. After the penetration is completed, the suction pump is turned off, and the lifting rigging is finally recovered. The installation guide tube of the drilling platform is inserted into the inner tube in the middle of the suction anchor to facilitate the extraction of seabed hydrates.

[0004] In this method, the automatic penetration by gravity is relatively ineffective, especially when the seabed geological conditions are complex and changeable, resulting in low penetration efficiency. Therefore, this application aims to improve the self-weight penetration efficiency.

[0005] To this end, we propose a suction anchor and a positioning mechanism thereof. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a suction anchor positioning mechanism to solve the problems raised in the above background technology.

[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a suction anchor, comprising a cylinder, a counterweight block movably fitted within the cylinder, a limit plate fixedly connected to the top surface of the counterweight block, a first inner tube movably passing through the limit plate and passing through the counterweight block, a second inner tube penetrating the cylinder body being provided above the first inner tube;

[0008] A rotating plate is slidably fitted in the cylinder, an elastic member is provided between the rotating plate and the second inner tube, and a clamping member is provided between the rotating plate and the limit plate. The clamping member automatically engages the rotating plate with the limit plate when the second inner tube descends. After that, the second inner tube moves upward to drive the counterweight block to the top of the cylinder, and the clamping member automatically releases the limit plate, allowing the counterweight block to descend quickly so that the cylinder penetrates deep into the seabed.

[0009] The second inner tube is provided with a connecting hose and a pull rope.

[0010] Two connecting plates are fixedly connected between the limiting plate and the counterweight block, and the first inner tube is located between the two connecting plates.

[0011] The bottom surface of the counterweight block is a concave surface structure.

[0012] A sleeve pipe which can be plugged and communicated with the second inner pipe is fixedly connected to the top of the first inner pipe.

[0013] The connecting hose is switchably connected to an air pump (a switchable combined pump for exhaustion and inflation), and the second inner tube is connected to the installation conduit on the drilling platform.

[0014] The sealing structure at the top end of the second inner tube is opened by an unmanned remotely operated submersible.

[0015] The clamping part includes a movable plate rotatably connected to two symmetrically distributed rotating plates. The top end of the rotating plate is an arc-shaped structure and the bottom end is an L-shaped structure. The bottoms of the two rotating plates are simultaneously clamped and cooperated with the limit plate and the first inner tube. The elastic part is an obliquely distributed compression spring, and the two ends of the elastic part are respectively rotatably connected to the second inner tube and the rotating plate.

[0016] The clamping member further comprises a T-shaped rod arranged on the top of the cylinder, and the T-shaped rod is slidably matched with the top of the rotating plate.

[0017] A positioning mechanism for a suction anchor includes a positioning plate arranged in a cylinder and slidingly engaged with the cylinder, the top surface of the positioning plate being a convex surface that engages with the bottom surface of a counterweight block, a plurality of plug rods being plugged into the positioning plate, the top surface height of the plug rods away from the middle of the positioning plate being greater than the top surface height of the plug rods close to the middle of the positioning plate, and a plug hole being provided in the middle of the positioning plate for plugging into and engaging with a first inner tube.

[0018] An elastic compression piece is fixedly connected in the plug hole, and a blocking plate that blocks the plug hole is slidably matched on the elastic compression piece, and the top surface and bottom surface of the blocking plate are inclined.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0020] The second inner tube moves downward, causing the rotating plate to automatically clamp the limit plate, driving the counterweight to move upward. When the counterweight moves to a higher height, the rotating plate contacts the T-bar, and the bottom of the rotating plate releases the clamping of the limit plate, causing the counterweight to move downward. Under the action of the counterweight, it strikes the positioning plate, accelerating the downward settlement process of the entire cylinder and improving the penetration efficiency.

[0021] At the same time, the air pump inflates through the connecting hose, which helps the counterweight to quickly descend and impact the positioning plate, further enhancing the penetration efficiency;

[0022] The counterweight blocks move downward under the action of gravity and air pressure, hitting the positioning plate. On the one hand, this causes the cylinder to drop rapidly. On the other hand, the counterweight blocks hit the insertion rod, causing the insertion rod to penetrate deep into the seabed, thereby increasing the positioning stability effect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the cylinder of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the internal structure of the cylinder of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the matching structure of the counterweight block and the first inner tube of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the matching structure between the limiting plate and the first inner tube of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the coordination structure of the limiting plate, connecting plate and counterweight block of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the positioning plate of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the matching structure of the blocking plate and the plug hole of the present invention.

[0031] In the figure: 1. Cylinder; 2. Counterweight; 3. Limiting plate; 4. First inner tube; 5. Second inner tube; 6. Rotating plate; 7. Elastic member; 8. Connecting hose; 9. Pull rope; 10. Connecting plate; 11. Socket; 12. Movable plate; 13. T-bar; 14. Positioning plate; 15. Inserting rod; 16. Inserting hole; 17. Elastic compression member; 18. Sealing plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] See also Figures 1-8 The present invention provides a suction anchor, comprising a cylinder 1, a counterweight 2 movably fitted in the cylinder 1, a limit plate 3 fixedly connected to the top surface of the counterweight 2, a first inner tube 4 movably passing through the limit plate 3 and passing through the counterweight 2, a second inner tube 5 passing through the cylinder 1 is provided above the first inner tube 4;

[0034] A rotating plate 6 is slidably fitted in the cylinder 1. An elastic member 7 is provided between the rotating plate 6 and the second inner tube 5. A clamping member is provided between the rotating plate 6 and the limit plate 3. The clamping member automatically engages the rotating plate 6 with the limit plate 3 when the second inner tube 5 descends. After that, the second inner tube 5 moves upward to drive the counterweight 2 to move to the top of the cylinder 1, and then automatically releases the clamping member from the limit plate 3, allowing the counterweight 2 to descend quickly so that the cylinder 1 penetrates deep into the seabed.

[0035] The second inner tube 5 is provided with a connecting hose 8 and a pull rope 9 .

[0036] The rotating plate 6 of the present application reciprocates up and down. The upwardly moving rotating plate 6 engages the limit plate 3, thereby driving the counterweight 2 to rise. When the rotating plate 6 rises to the top of the cylinder 1, the rotating plate 6 rotates a small angle, thereby releasing the engagement with the limit plate 3, causing the counterweight 2 to fall under the action of gravity and strike the insertion rod 15, thereby completing a deeper and more stable penetration of the cylinder 1.

[0037] There are two connecting plates 10 fixedly connected between the limit plate 3 and the counterweight block 2. The first inner tube 4 is located between the two connecting plates 10, ensuring the position of the first inner tube 4, ensuring the docking of the first inner tube 4 and the second inner tube 5, and also ensuring that the bottom support of the rotating plate 6 acts on the limit plate 3, driving the counterweight block 2 to move without affecting the movement of the counterweight block 2.

[0038] The bottom surface of the counterweight block 2 is a concave surface structure, which cooperates with the top surface of the positioning plate 14. The counterweight block 2 first knocks the plug rod 15 fixed at the edge of the positioning plate 14, so that the plug rod 15 at the edge of the positioning plate 14 slowly descends to a certain depth, and then the counterweight block 2 knocks the plug rod 15 near the middle of the positioning plate 14, so that the plug rod 15 in the middle of the positioning plate 14 descends, and finally all the plug rods 15 are completely descended;

[0039] This method performs knocking activities on the insertion rod 15 in an orderly and staggered manner, ensuring the efficiency of the insertion and positioning stability of the insertion rod 15.

[0040] A sleeve pipe 11 is fixedly connected to the top of the first inner tube 4 and can be plugged into and communicated with the second inner tube 5. The first inner tube 4 and the second inner tube 5 are connected through the plug-in pipe 11, which is convenient for subsequent installation of the catheter.

[0041] The outer diameter of the sleeve tube 11 is larger than the diameter of the through hole on the limiting plate 3 through which the first inner tube 4 passes.

[0042] The connecting hose 8 is switchably connected to the air pump, and the second inner tube 5 is connected to the installation conduit on the drilling platform.

[0043] The existing suction anchor is a top-closed structure and is a form of offshore foundation. The existing cylinder 1 is provided with an inner pipe for drilling passage;

[0044] The sealing structure at the top of the second inner tube 5 is opened by an unmanned remote-controlled submersible. Unmanned remote-controlled submersibles are used many times in this application to complete tasks that are difficult to operate on the seabed. The use of suction anchors in conjunction with unmanned remote-controlled submersibles is detailed in the Natural Resources Science and Culture website, where the China Geological Survey published a video titled "Deep-sea Wellhead Suction Anchor Technology: A Key Marine Engineering Equipment for Hydrate Trial Production" on the relevant technology. That is, unmanned remote-controlled submersibles are existing technology, and this application does not improve or elaborate on them.

[0045] The unmanned remotely operated submersible used in this application may be the Hailong 2 robot. Hailong 2 is a Chinese-developed unmanned remotely operated vehicle (ROV), with a maximum operating depth of 3,500 meters. It is capable of adapting to complex seabed terrain and operating in high-temperature environments. Its main body measures approximately 3.17 meters by 1.81 meters by 2.24 meters, and it is equipped with a manipulator capable of extracting 250 kilograms of samples. As a key piece of equipment for oceanographic research, it has achieved breakthrough applications such as seafloor hydrothermal sulfide sampling and deep-sea biological genetic research.

[0046] The clamping part includes a movable plate 12 rotatably connected to two symmetrically distributed rotating plates 6. The top end of the rotating plate 6 is an arc-shaped structure and the bottom end is an L-shaped structure. The bottoms of the two rotating plates 6 are simultaneously clamped and cooperated with the limit plate 3 and the first inner tube 4. The elastic part 7 is an obliquely distributed compression spring, and the two ends of the elastic part 7 are rotatably connected to the second inner tube 5 and the rotating plate 6 respectively.

[0047] The clamping member further includes a T-shaped rod 13 provided on the top of the cylinder 1 , and the T-shaped rod 13 is slidably engaged with the top of the rotating plate 6 .

[0048] A positioning mechanism for a suction anchor comprises a positioning plate 14 which is arranged in a cylinder 1 and slidingly cooperates with the cylinder 1. The top surface of the positioning plate 14 is a convex surface which cooperates with the bottom surface of the counterweight block 2. A plurality of plug rods 15 are plugged into the positioning plate 14. The top surface height of the plug rod 15 away from the middle of the positioning plate 14 is greater than the top surface height of the plug rod 15 near the middle of the positioning plate. A plug hole 16 which is plugged into the first inner tube 4 is provided in the middle of the positioning plate 14. In conjunction with the reciprocating movement of the counterweight block 2, all the plug rods 15 are inserted into the seabed.

[0049] An elastic compression member 17 is fixedly connected to the plug hole 16 , and a blocking plate 18 is slidably fitted on the elastic compression member 17 to block the plug hole 16 . The top and bottom surfaces of the blocking plate 18 are inclined.

[0050] The method of using the suction anchor and its positioning mechanism in this application is as follows:

[0051] S1. Connect a drawstring 9 (non-elastic drawstring 9, such as a steel wire rope) to a connecting hose 8 through an engineering vessel. The connecting hose 8 is connected to an air pump. The cylinder 1 is lifted by the drawstring 9 and is made to penetrate the seabed and contact the seabed for gravity penetration.

[0052] S2. During the process of the bottom of the cylinder 1 slowly entering the seabed, the pull rope 9 is lowered to relax the pull rope 9, so that the second inner tube 5 drives the rotating plate 6 to move downward along the cylinder 1. After the rotating plate 6 moves downward and contacts the limit plate 3, the rotating plate 6 makes a small reciprocating rotation, and the bottom end of the rotating plate 6 rotates to the bottom of the limit plate 3 (the bottom end of the rotating plate 6 is rotated and switched from the top of the limit plate 3 to the bottom of the limit plate 3), and under the compression of the elastic member 7, the bottom end of the rotating plate 6 supports the bottom of the limit plate 3, so that the rotating plate 6 clamps the limit plate 3 and the first inner tube 4;

[0053] S3, pull the rope 9 upward to keep the rotating plate 6 clamped on the limit plate 3, thereby driving the counterweight 2 and the rotating plate 6 to move upward along the cylinder 1;

[0054] S4. When the counterweight 2 moves to a higher height, the top of the rotating plate 6 contacts the T-bar 13. Under the reaction of the T-bar 13, the rotating plate 6 rotates, and the bottom of the rotating plate 6 releases the clamping of the limit plate 3, so that the counterweight 2 and the limit plate 3 move downward. As a result, the counterweight 2 knocks the positioning plate 14 under the action of the counterweight 2, accelerating the downward settlement process of the entire cylinder 1.

[0055] At the same time, the air pump inflates through the connecting hose 8, which helps the counterweight 2 to quickly descend and impact the positioning plate 14;

[0056] S5, release the pull rope 9 downward, and slowly inhale air through the air pump to move the rotating plate 6 downward and contact the limit plate 3 again;

[0057] This reciprocating motion causes the counterweight 2 to reciprocate, acting on the positioning plate 14, thereby allowing the cylinder 1 to be quickly inserted into the seabed;

[0058] S6. The second inner tube 5 is moved downward by the unmanned remote-controlled submersible, so that the second inner tube 5 overcomes the action of the elastic member 7 and moves downward to connect with the first inner tube 4. The first inner tube 4 moves downward to break through the blocking plate 18 and complete the connection between the top and bottom of the cylinder 1.

[0059] S7. Finally, the sealing structure on the top of the second inner tube 5 is opened by the unmanned remote-controlled submersible, so that the installation guide tube of the drilling platform is sequentially inserted into the second inner tube 5, the first inner tube 4, and the plug hole 16 to carry out the seabed drilling work.

[0060] When the cylinder 1 contacts the seabed, the pull rope 9 is released back and forth, gradually hitting the insertion rod 15, and the depth of the insertion rod 15 into the seabed gradually deepens. During this process, the first inner tube 4 does not contact the blocking plate 18 (because the insertion depth of the insertion rod 15 is not enough);

[0061] Finally, when the insertion rod 15 is completely immersed, the first inner tube 4 breaks through the blocking plate 18, completing the communication between the top and bottom of the cylinder 1.

[0062] Explanation on how the second inner tube 5 is connected to the first inner tube 4 and the plug hole 16:

[0063] The bottom diameter of the first inner tube 4 is larger than the aperture of the channel on the counterweight block 2 through which the first inner tube 4 passes, while the middle diameter of the first inner tube 4 is equal to or smaller than the aperture of the channel on the counterweight block 2 (the middle part of the first inner tube 4 slides on the counterweight block 2, and the first inner tube 4 will never separate from the counterweight block 2), thereby avoiding motion interference and friction damage to the first inner tube 4 when the first inner tube 4 descends with the counterweight block 2.

[0064] In this application, after the cylinder 1 is penetrated, the second inner tube 5 is moved downward along the cylinder 1 by an unmanned remote-controlled submersible. The second inner tube 5 overcomes the action of the elastic member 7, causing the inclination angle of the elastic member 7 to change, thereby causing the second inner tube 5 to move downward a large distance and maintain this state.

[0065] The second inner tube 5 moves downward a large distance, connects with the sleeve tube 11 of the first inner tube 4, and presses the first inner tube 4 downward, so that the first inner tube 4 is rushed into the plug hole 16, and presses the sealing plate 18 to open the sealing plate 18. The first inner tube 4 passes through the bottom of the positioning plate 14, so that a channel is formed between the top and bottom of the cylinder 1, which is convenient for the insertion of the subsequent installation catheter.

[0066] The principle of how the rotating plate 6 is engaged with the limit plate 3 and how it is released from the limit plate 3 is as follows:

[0067] When the second inner tube 5 moves downward, the elastic member 7 drives the rotating plate 6 and the movable plate 12 to move downward, so that the rotating plate 6 contacts the limiting plate 3. In the process of the bottom of the rotating plate 6 moving from the top to the bottom along the limiting plate 3, it cannot overcome the effect of the elastic member 7, so that the bottoms of the rotating plate 6 moved to the bottom of the limiting plate 3 are close to each other, so that the bottom of the rotating plate 6 supports the bottom surface of the limiting plate 3, so that when the pull rope 9 is lifted, the rotating plate 6 rises, driving the limiting plate 3 and the counterweight 2 to move upward;

[0068] When the counterweight 2 moves to the top, the inclined arc section at the top of the rotating plate 6 contacts the T-bar 13, causing the rotating plate 6 to rotate, overcoming the elastic member 7, and the bottom ends of the two rotating plates 6 move away from each other, thereby releasing the supporting effect of the rotating plate 6 on the limit plate 3, causing the counterweight 2 to move downward.

[0069] About the working process of the counterweight 2 striking the positioning plate 14:

[0070] The counterweight 2 moves downward under the action of gravity and air pressure (air pump inflation), knocking the positioning plate 14, which on the one hand causes the cylinder 1 to drop rapidly, and on the other hand causes the counterweight 2 to knock the insertion rod 15, causing the insertion rod 15 to penetrate deep into the seabed;

[0071] The positioning plate 14 is embedded in the seabed, and the insertion rod 15 is nailed into the seabed to enhance the stability of the positioning plate 14. After the suction anchor completes the hydrate suction effect, when the suction anchor is recovered, the positioning plate 14 can be recovered at the same time, and the positioning plate 14 will not be separated from the cylinder 1.

[0072] It is worth noting that the positioning plate 14 in the present application can also be connected and fixed to the inner wall of the cylinder 1, and the rod 15 can be inserted through the counterweight block 2 to make the rod 15 penetrate into the seabed. Specifically, the positioning plate 14 that is movable in the cylinder 1 or the positioning plate 14 fixed to the cylinder 1 is used. Depending on the geological conditions, when more stable and deeper penetration is required, the positioning plate 14 that is movable in the cylinder 1 is used.

[0073] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as first and second, etc., are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0074] While embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, and that the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A suction anchor, characterized in that: include: A cylinder (1), wherein a counterweight (2) is movably fitted in the cylinder (1), a top surface of the counterweight (2) is fixedly connected to a limit plate (3), a first inner tube (4) movably passing through the limit plate (3) and passing through the counterweight (2), a second inner tube (5) passing through the cylinder (1) is provided above the first inner tube (4); A rotating plate (6) is slidably fitted in the cylinder (1), an elastic member (7) is provided between the rotating plate (6) and the second inner tube (5), and a clamping member is provided between the rotating plate (6) and the limit plate (3). The clamping member automatically clamps the rotating plate (6) with the limit plate (3) when the second inner tube (5) descends, and then the second inner tube (5) moves upward to drive the counterweight (2) to move to the top of the cylinder (1), and then automatically releases the clamping of the limit plate (3), so that the counterweight (2) descends quickly, so that the cylinder (1) penetrates into the seabed; The second inner tube (5) is provided with a connecting hose (8) and a pull rope (9); Two connecting plates (10) are fixedly connected between the limiting plate (3) and the counterweight block (2), and the first inner tube (4) is located between the two connecting plates (10); The bottom surface of the counterweight block (2) is a concave surface structure; The top of the first inner tube (4) is fixedly connected with a sleeve tube (11) which can be plugged and connected to the second inner tube (5); The connecting hose (8) is switchably connected to the air pump, and the second inner tube (5) is connected to the installation conduit on the drilling platform; The sealing structure at the top end of the second inner tube (5) is opened by an unmanned remotely operated submersible; The clamping member comprises a movable plate (12) rotatably connected to two symmetrically distributed rotating plates (6); the top end of the rotating plate (6) is an arc-shaped structure, and the bottom end is an L-shaped structure; the bottom ends of the two rotating plates (6) are simultaneously clamped and matched with the limit plate (3) and the first inner tube (4); the elastic member (7) is an inclined compression spring; the two ends of the elastic member (7) are rotatably connected to the second inner tube (5) and the rotating plate (6), respectively.

2. The suction anchor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clamping member further comprises a T-shaped rod (13) arranged on the top of the cylinder (1), and the T-shaped rod (13) is slidably engaged with the top of the rotating plate (6).

3. A positioning mechanism for a suction anchor as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: It comprises a positioning plate (14) arranged in a cylinder (1) and slidingly matched with the cylinder (1), the top surface of the positioning plate (14) being a convex surface that matches the bottom surface of the counterweight (2), a plurality of insertion rods (15) being plugged into the positioning plate (14), the top surface height of the insertion rods (15) away from the middle of the positioning plate (14) being greater than the top surface height of the insertion rods (15) near the middle of the positioning plate (14), and a plug hole (16) being plugged into and matched with the first inner tube (4) being opened in the middle of the positioning plate (14).

4. The positioning mechanism for a suction anchor according to claim 3, characterized in that: An elastic compression member (17) is fixedly connected to the plug hole (16), and a blocking plate (18) is slidably engaged with the elastic compression member (17) and blocks the plug hole (16), wherein the top and bottom surfaces of the blocking plate (18) are inclined at an angle.

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